X-Book

The Monsters We Defy

Already purchased

Click to open directly in the xigxag app.

Standard price shown. Sign in for personalised pricing.

Send as a gift Get in the xigxag app

Added to cart

Continue shopping or head to checkout

View cart

Listen to a sample

What to expect

'Rich and immersive. . . full of mesmerizing magic!' P. Djèlí Clark, author of A Master of Djinn

'This gorgeous historical fantasy combines a folkloric bent with a truly excellent heist' Holly Black, author of The Cruel Prince

A dazzling historical fantasy that weaves together African American folk magic, history and romance.

Clara Johnson can talk to spirits - a gift that saved her during her darkest moments, now a curse that's left her indebted to the cunning spirit world. So when a powerful spirit offers her an opportunity to gain her freedom, Clara seizes the chance. The task: steal a magical ring from the wealthiest woman in the District.

Clara can't pull off this daring heist alone. She'll need the help of an unlikely team: from a handsome jazz musician able to hypnotize with a melody, to an aging actor who can change his face.
But as conflict in the spirit world begins to leak into the human one - an insidious mystery is unfolding, one that could cost Clara her life.

Praise for The Monsters We Defy:

'Penelope's blend of fantasy and history is pitch perfect. . . Readers will be wowed' Publishers Weekly

'A high-stakes, delightful read' Buzzfeed

'An enchanting adventure that weaves a spell' Justina Ireland

Reader reviews:

'Omg this book is a MUST READ!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Absolutely wonderful' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'One of my favourite books of the year' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'With seamlessly blended fantasy and history, complex characters, and a little touch of romance, this is a practically perfect read!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Glorious! Absolutely gorgeous!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

' I loooooooved this book. I love a good heist novel and this one was delightful' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I loved this book and I know it's one I'll be going back to reread in the future, It was an absolute blast to read, a mystery to solve heart pounding suspense, a little romance, and absolutely incredible characters. I can't recommend this book enough!!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I adored this book! It's witty, adventurous, romantic and heartbreaking ' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Critics Review

Rich and immersive. . . full of mesmerizing magic!
P. Djèlí Clark, author of A MASTER OF DJINN
This gorgeous historical fantasy combines a folkloric bent with a truly excellent heist . . . This book has one of the cleverest magic systems I've come across, plus a delightful array of performers and outcasts
Holly Black
An enchanting adventure that weaves a spell
Justina Ireland
Stolen destinies, dubious bargains, and unlikely groups of allies, all in a city whose history deserves more fame; a fresh and engaging take on historical fantasy
Marie Brennan
Masterfully crafted. This smart and entertaining magical heist novel hits all the right notes
T. L. Huchu
Clara is a heroine for the ages, and her 1920s Black Washington society, both the glamour and the grit, is so compellingly evoked it's as though Penelope has given us a peek behind the veil to hear the tales of our ancestors
Alaya Dawn Johnson
A high-stakes, delightful read
Buzzfeed
Penelope's blend of fantasy and history is pitch perfect. . . Readers will be wowed
Publishers Weekly
A great blending of realistic characters, spiritualism and magic, fantasy, mystery, a heist story and a strong element of romance. I love it when I encounter a book of a type I don't often read and get completely carried away with. And The Monsters We Defy is such a book that draws you into a brilliantly recreated historical world
SciFi Mind
Author Leslye Penelope
Narrator Shayna Small
Duration 11 hours and 31 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781405557344
Format x-book®
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Genre Historical fantasy, Urban fantasy
Availability AU, GB, IE

About xigxag and the x-book®

Discover the best audiobooks with xigxag, an innovative and user-friendly audiobook platform designed to simplify finding, purchasing, and enjoying your favourite books in audio format. Our flexible pricing model makes bestselling audiobooks affordable, offering the best audiobook deals without the need for a subscription. You can also give the perfect gift with our convenient audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.

A core differentiator of xigxag is our groundbreaking listen-and-read x-book® technology, which delivers a truly immersive digital book experience. This unique innovation seamlessly combines the audiobook, text, and images into a brilliant, integrated format, complete with exclusive audiobook features and a next-generation digital reading experience. Our growing x-book selection is easily discoverable by looking for the distinctive purple x-book® ribbon, or by simply filtering your search by ‘x-book’.

Beyond our technology, xigxag is committed to sustainability and ethical practices, ensuring a guilt-free listening experience from an exceptional digital book platform. As the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service, we stand as a leader in audiobook innovation and a compelling alternative to big tech. Our commitment extends to delivering extraordinary customer service, provided by our friendly UK support team.

Effortlessly search audiobooks, gain insights from honest audiobook reviews evaluating both the content and narration, and easily discover hidden gems. You can download or stream top audiobook titles anytime, anywhere, guaranteeing the best possible listening experience on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Experience the future of audiobooks today.